E07443: The late 4th to 6th c. collection of Miracles of *Menas (soldier martyr of Egypt, S00073), ascribed to Timothy of Alexandria, recounts the story of the miraculous rescue of a woman from rape. She was travelling alone to the shrine, and visited a shrine of *Thekla (follower of Paul the Apostle, S00092) in the same area. Written in Greek in Alexandria.

Timothy of Alexandria, Miracles of Menas (CPG 2527, BHG 1256-1269)

Miracle 3. The sterile woman (BHG 1259)

Summary:

A rich woman from the region of Phekozea, called Sophia, who was married to a pious man, decides to visit the shrine and pray. Having no children to inherit her fortune, she intends to bequeath it to the shrine, for the forgiveness of her soul. She sets off alone in the desert, without disclosing it to her household or husband, and arrives at the shrine of Thekla. She is assaulted by a passing soldier and, while he attempts to rape her, she invokes the saint’s help. Menas appears on horseback, places the woman on the soldier’s horse and leads it to his shrine, while the rapist is dragged behind them, with his leg tied onto the horse. The soldier dedicates his horse to the shrine, and spends the rest of his life there, praying for his forgiveness.

Text: Pomialovskii 1900.
Summary: E. Rizos.